eastbound | video: un: pillar of the heavens

[ open scene: a quiet night, the sun long since set, the night air finally cool, and mo ran alone in his tent. ah, blissful peace, some modicum of comfort after a long day trekking the dunes, and mo ran— rash and foolhardy, makes use of a special treasure he discovered. (or perhaps it is something the sand provided to him, laughing at the misfortune sure to come.)

all is quiet, except for a moan, hastily broken off, and then: the sounds of a swarm. a legion of small, fluttering locusts, their wings buzzing. they come from nowhere, from the sand itself, and disturb nothing in camp, except for one specific tent: mo ran.

the swarm descends and the peace around his tent is shattered as he yelps and curses the heavens. scrambling can be heard in the tent, as though a fierce fight is underway, and a minute later, a new video appears on the network.

normally cheerful, with a smile bright enough to charm any young maiden, dimples to please the aunties, and bright eyes, he looks different that night, his eyes a little darker, annoyance lingering at the corners and in the twist of his lips. around him swarm the locusts, and any attempt at batting them away s futile. more simply appear. ]

How the fu— how do I get rid of locusts? Never had to deal with something like this before.

[ a brief scramble and then he darts out of his tent, the camera shaking some. he's half dressed, hair down, and barefoot as he makes his way out. for a moment, he looks relieved, brightening up, the locusts have forsaken him, he can beg another tent possibly. but alas, that is not the case: within moments, the locusts are back, swarming around him. ]

Fucking hell, [ he mutters, and tries to brush away the locusts again, running a little further away from his tent in hopes of dislodging them. ] Can I set these stupid things on fire?

[ they're in his hair, and— what's that, are those locusts trying to get into his pants?— so maybe fire isn't the best option. ]

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Shizun's barriers are the best.

[ And it's been years since he got to see them, so Mo Ran is fully committed to enjoying this, even if the circumstances aren't the best.

He works at blowing them away, using qi to push them past the barrier; it seems to be working, the numbers of insects on the inside of the barrier growing smaller. ]

...just get rid of the insects and don't waste your breath on useless words. [He says and it's totally not because he's off balance because to have Mo Ran's praise and appreciation when he's used to the opposite. Though the longer he stays here, interacting with this Mo Ran the more this feels normal.

Well, not exactly normal. It would never feel normal but Chu Wanning found himself becoming complacent. Which seems like a bad idea and yet he can't quite help it.

So he turns and pretends he isn't bothered, focusing on helping to remove the insects instead.

When they're sufficiently pushed to the outside of the barrier, Chu Wanning steels himself and turns back to look at Mo Ran. He looks his disciple over, trying not to let his eyes linger on the muscles of Mo Ran's chest, or his abs or--

The tips of his ears turn pink and he scolds himself mentally for being a dirty old pervert for letting his eyes wander.

Still, he sees no injuries and he frowns.]

Where are you injured?

[Sounds almost like an accusation but no, he's just embarrassed.]

Of course, Shizun. [ It is easier to focus on getting rid of the locusts while he's not trying to talk, although he does keep an eye on Chu Wanning out of habit.

Finally, most of them are outside the barrier, which seems to hold against the insects with sufficient force— and of course it would, it's Chu Wanning's barrier— he looks back at his shizun, suddenly conscious of his partial nudity.

Thankfully he'd managed to scramble back into his pants before rushing out. He's not ashamed of his body, or nudity, but he is trying to be better to his shizun, and this is hardly the place to be caught without his robes. He manages not to flush, thrown out of any embarrassment by the confusing question. ]

Injured? I'm not injured.

[ He frowns, looking down at his body. ] Do you see something?

If I could see it I wouldn't be asking you.

[He regrets how sharply he says it almost as soon as the words left his mouth. Mo Ran has been so kind and gentle lately...he could at least try to return the favour.]

...I heard you earlier. You don't need to force yourself.

[ That comment, along with the sharpness, makes Mo Ran chuckle, although he's quick to smother it behind his hand. And then he's the one burdened with regret over his actions, looking away as he rubs the back of his neck. ]

That wasn't an injury, Shizun. It's fine now.

[ He's definitely not aroused anymore! ]

What do you mean it wasn't an injury? Stop beating around the bush. You--

[He starts scolding without thinking about it. Because Mo Ran is his disciple and because Mo Ran is precious and because Chu Wanning had little patience for people.

But then his mouth clicks shut.

That sound......if it wasn't an injury then--

Chu Wanning stares. Then his face turns red all at once.]

Shameless!

[ Mo Ran watches the realization dawn on Chu Wanning's face and how his face turns red, and feels some shame, mostly because he was stupid about the unguent and did get caught, which hadn't been his intent. It's mixed in with some amusement and fondness for Chu Wanning; once he might have bristled at Chu Wanning's words, but he can understand the embarrassment now. He holds his hands up, backing up a little, although he's careful not to bump into the barrier. ]

It's a natural bodily process, Shizun. I really didn't mean it to turn out like this.

You--!

[He pointed, then paused because he doesn't actually know what to follow up that with.

He drops his arm with an angry flick of his sleeve.]

I would certainly hope you didn't intend for this to be the outcome! [Because, you know, of the insects and all that.]

No. Um. Not the intent, at all. I just—

[ He can't explain anything further. He's not shy about such things, but having to explain it to Chu Wanning would just be inappropriate. ] I wasn't expecting the insects. But it looks like they're starting to leave. Your barrier was a good idea.

video: un: pillar of the heavens

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